Face the Promise

Face The Promise, a fresh album after 11-year break

Waiting 11 years between albums might be risky for some artists. It is possible to lose relations with the audience, it may turn out that the music is of little importance now or that there is no one who really needs it. But Bob Seger being a true rock hero does not fear of such a threat. His new album Face The Promise again proves that the good music is essential for public irrespective of time. Along with such names as Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen he has contributed his share in classic rock’s coming-to-be and nowadays he is one of few in number artists who can still deliver new material with what they did back in the day. Seger isn’t losing his essence, just like before it is music with a simple but effective message, set to a medium-hard rock beat, and just like before he shows his love to a blues rock. Face The Promise is typical Seger: keyboards, acoustic guitars, electric blues leads, saxophones and the throaty-soul voice of Seger himself. And what is of no less importance his music is still full of themes that are close to a common person’s heart.

Seger remains Seger

The album is replete with the air of old classic rock, of course the sound here is more up to date, but the harmonies and themes that Seger picks are characteristic to his previous albums. However Face The Promise has many of its special distinguishing features. Unlike other Seger albums, this one has a rougher edge in sounding. The guitar melodies are much more grittier. Bob Seger as a musician has come full circle with himself. In the twilight of his career, he's come to terms with life and this album is the final solution. Tracks such as Wait For Me and No Matter Who You Are make his maturity and wisdom clear. And tracks like Face The Promise and Are You display the soul, raspy voice, blues grit that made him famous in the 70s. It is interesting to listen to the tracks with special guest star collaboration. Seger’s duet with Kid Rock and Patty Loveless has made an unexpected musical blend within these songs which sound just the right way. But still the basis of this album lies in Seger’s adherence to American classic rock and in that fact that Seger fearlessly remains Seger.

Face The Promise has contemplative lyrics

As any true rock singer Bob Seger has always been placing lyrics at the head positions in his music. In some way he has gained popularity dew to his poetry, to be more correct, dew to his songs where the words and the music are equal in significance. These are simple and comprehensible messages to everyday life and desires of a common man - a representative of middle working class. However on this new album Seger changes the perspective a bit, though his main themes remain the same. On Face The Promise lyrics are concerned, they are contemplative and often reminiscent of his rollicking days in the 70s/early-80s. The delivery of the softer, more intimate pieces are more convicted now that Seger has aged and lived the life of 10 men. He's looking back on his youth finding himself somewhere in the mix. Probably these inner emotions were of a great help for Seger to make the album which has something that may make Face The Promise one of the best work he has ever done. If you’re already a Bob Seger fan, you’ll listen to it often. If you aren’t already a Bob Seger fan, this album will make you one.